Magic vs. Celtics

Lore & Background

In the 1995 Eastern Conference First Round, the Magic faced the Boston Celtics, who featured All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, second-year star Dino Radja, and Dee Brown. The Magic won Game 1 at home by a 47-point margin, 124–77, but lost Game 2 at home, 99–92, tying the series at 1–1. The Magic then won the next two games on the road, including a 95–92 victory in Game 4 at the Boston Garden, which was the final basketball game ever played at that arena.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed over the polished hardwood at Amway Arena. Shaq bounced the ball near the baseline, eyes locked on the green jerseys across the paint. The crowd roared, a mix of anticipation and tension hanging thick in the air. It wasn't just another game; it was a statement against history. As Penny drove into the lane, drawing double teams, he spotted Shaq rolling to the rim. The pass snapped through the air. Contact. Whistle. Boston players protested, but Orlando stood tall. This moment defined an era where the new challenged the old.

Reader's Guide

The Magic won the series 3–1. Game 4 at the Boston Garden was the last basketball game played there.

Did You Know?

• Game 1 was a 124–77 Magic victory, a 47-point margin.
• Game 4 was the final basketball game ever played at the Boston Garden.
• Shaquille O'Neal played his final game in Boston sixteen years later with the 2010–11 Boston Celtics.